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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PhilRECA welcomes Comelec's move to give one more seat to winning party-list

PhilRECA welcomes Comelec's move to give one more seat to winning party-list

Published Sep 15, 2025 05:05 pm

At A Glance

  • ​PhilRECA Party-list on Monday, Sep. 15, welcomed the Commission on Elections (Comelec)'s decision to declare more winning party-lists during the 2025 midterm elections, especially since it filed a motion for the poll body to do so.
​PhilRECA Party-list on Monday, Sep. 15, welcomed the Commission on Elections (Comelec)'s decision to declare more winning party-lists during the 2025 midterm elections, especially since it filed a motion for the poll body to do so.
In a statement, PhilRECA says such a development is not simply a victory for the party-list itself but "a necessary step toward preserving the credibility of the party-list system as a whole".
"The decision also upholds the continuing importance of the electoral system in giving voice to various sectors of society, particularly those that would otherwise remain underrepresented," it said.
PhilRECA, which stands for the Philippine Resilient Electric Cooperatives and Consumers Alliance, on May 15 filed a Motion to Proclaim the Full Number of Party-List Seat before Comelec, which during the polls acted as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC).
On Sunday, Sept. 14, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia confirmed that the body would be proclaiming one more party-list in line with a Constitutional mandate, and it would be Gabriela Party-list getting the 64th seat.
PhilRECA said its position was anchored on the clear language of Article VI, Section 5, paragraph 2 of the 1987 Constitution and the Party-List System Act, which require that the party-list representatives shall constitute 20 percent of the total membership in the House.
Comelec's unanimous adoption of this position affirms PhilRECA’s stance to keep the House of Representatives aligned with the Constitution’s intent of proportional representation, it said.
"We only did what was right, which is to call attention to what the Constitution requires,” PhilRECA Rep. Presley de Jesus said.
"We are humbled to have played our part in making sure that the principle of broad and proportional representation is upheld, and that every marginalized voice that deserves a seat in Congress is properly accounted for,” he added.
As a member of the House minority, PhilRECA welcomed the fact that the additional seat would be given to an expected new member of the bloc.
"I also wish to give credit to our lawyers and staff who not only advocated for this legal position but also diligently worked on this matter and brought this all to fruition. I was actually ready to challenge this all the way to the Supreme Court, if necessary,” Presely said.
The House is now composed of 254 district representatives and 64 party-list representatives, bringing the total to 318 members.
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